#grahamcalloway

[cahmansandiegooo]

Computer: Enter password Gray: Carmen Sandiego Computer: Too weak Gray, about to destroy the entire shit: sAy ThAt aGaIN YoU sOn Of a bItCh

[lara635kookie]

[lara635kookie]

THIS, OMG! I've always wanted to see Carmen resenting a little to fight V.I.L.E. because of her childhood good memories and always wanted to see more of the V.I.L.E. operatives(the surnames of Sheena, Jean Paul and Antônio, more than we got about Gray and everything about Paper Star). Something that really gets to me is V.I.L.E.'s new class. It was supposed to be a WHOLE ENTIRE class and then they only gave us Spin Kick and Flytrap. Like, give us at least 5/6 new more villains. And the faculty, specially Coach Brunt, always emphasized how it was their best class and would easily take Carmen down and we barely see Spin Kick and Flytrap and yet they are easily taken down by Carmen and Shadowsan. Paper Star is still the best V.I.L.E. villain and Gray is still V.I.L.E.'s best overall character. I wanted to see more of Paper Star's class since it appears to be a different one from both Carmen's original class and Spin Kick and Flytrap's one. It apparently was after Carmen's original class but before Spink Kick and Flytrap's one. I wanted to see how her class felt about her being obviously Maelstrom's favorite, how did it felt for her to be the youngest agent of V.I.L.E., how did it felt for her being the operative who was the closest to take Carmen down, how did they reward her for the A.C.M.E. card(I always wondered how was payday at V.I.L.E. and how it became after their financial crisis caused by Carmen) more of her relationship with Lady Dokuso and the others(specially Tigress, Mime Bomb, and Le Chevre afrer what she did to him) and her graduation day. Coming back to Gray, I don't believe it was a full personality change since we saw his cute friendship with Black Sheep and he turned good at the end. Apparently, what Doctor Bellum did was turning off the bad instincts of Gray and turning off the good instincts of Carmen(at least that was what I understood). He was so complex and hard to completely understand, I love him sm. Speaking of which, New Zealand needed a better national villain. Australia had THE Graham "Gray" Calloway aka Crackle and the the kiwis had a gross guy named "Neal, The Eel"(still the worst codename of the series, even "Graham Crackle" was better than that). #JusticeForNewZealand

how graham's amnesia was weakened

all cards on the table, i really like amnesia tropes, especially with bad guy turned good or at least bad guy temporarily being good. i just love how amnesia can give morally gray or straight up evil characters a way to explore what they are outside being evil

so ofc my favorite character was gray from carmen sandiego (tho i did like him out of the gate for his friendship with carmen in the backstory)

so i was intrigued when he returned as an amnesiac and we get to see him actually normal and uninterested in villainy. It was interesting seeing graham's strong attatchment to morality in season 2, asking carmen after the heist if they were the "good guys". it is a bit cliche, but it shows that if graham does have a sense of right or wrong.

ofc graham def joined vile for the wrong reasons of wanting to be trained as a thief. though to know that maybe with a more stable career, graham couldve have been satisfied with his life and not turn to questionable means of making a liveliehood

it helps provide more perspective to vile agents as a whole, gesturing the notion that maybe if they didn't join vile when they were young and reckless, they wouldn't be trapped in an enviorment that forces them deeper into villainy through adulthood

until s4 came and lowkey retconned it all. now graham's mindwipe wasnt just amnesia, its also a "personality rewrite". which is to me, a cowardly move. now any moral concerns gray brings up prior is moot. instead of graham's amnesia revealing what could happen to vile agents if they were placed in a healthier enviorment, showing that the agents arent the true evil, it just becomes a pointless u-turn that reveals nothing about who gray actually is.

Gray no longer is a character impacted by circumstance, but always a morally bad character who was temporarily replaced by a good person

now that could work. it could open the debate whether gray should return to a calmer life, even if that robs him of his true autonomy, or return to vile knowing that he at least is not being controlled by another party. but i mean, carmen sandiego is a story about carmen and not gray, so such a complex moral debate would take time away from the main character.

its such a sad decision to know that whatever graham says during s1 and s2 isnt at all true to his character. It seems to me the story just isnt willing to give any vile agent any complexity because that could cause carmen to question who she should be really fighting, other agents or the vile faculty.

[grahamgumball-andotherstuff]

Lights Out Baby, I love You: A Graham x Reader oneshots fanfic - Playing by the Rules: Part 1  https://www.wattpad.com/1121078548-lights-out-baby-i-love-you-a-graham-x-reader

Dedicated to all Graham lovers out there ;) PART 2 IS ALSO OUT NOW!

[lara635kookie]

About this, not saying it's not valid, even though I don't believe it, I respect it, but like, it's a curious headcanon for me because how did he made his transition if he was an orphan? Of course he was payed for his job in the Opera House but was it enough money tho? Specially since when he was a V.I.L.E. student he seemed to be already completed his transition and he was like sixteen, there was probably not much time since he left his job. It's just a doubt tho(sorry If I'm being ignorant I just would really like to know 'cause maybe I'm wrong), if somebody can explain to me I'd be grateful

guys gray is trans he told me so

[cahmansandiegooo]

Carmen: What are you in the mood for? Gray: World domination. Carmen: That's a bit ambitious. Gray: You are my world. Carmen: Aww… Gray: Carmen: Gray: Carmen: OH.

[lara635kookie]

I have a headcanon that Carmen and Gray's oldest child is a son, his name is Dexter Suhara Calloway, who is the spitting image of his maternal grandfather, Dexter Wolfe whom he was named after. His middle name comes from Carmen's surrogate father Shadowsan, who's real name is Suhara. Dexter loves hearing stories about his grandfather from his maternal grandmother, it helps him feel close to his family history.

This is honestly so cute. Also, like how you say "oldest child" because they definitely had more than just one in my mind, too lol

[lara635kookie]

My favorite Red Crackle screenshots collection/gallery:

Damn girl you also bit your lip when he gave you the address of his favorite café? Can you at least TRY not to be so whipped, Player is still a child lolol.

Sleeping Beauty much? Don't you wanna kiss him, Carmen? We know you do.

They're in the woods, in the middle of nowhere, in that position...Not suggestive at all, thank you very much.

Doing illicit things with him with her eyes.

Maybe I'll add more later.

[cahmansandiegooo]

Gray: I had a dream we fucked. Carmen: relax it was just a dream. Gray: Huh, I wouldn’t fuck you. Carmen: You wouldn’t? Gray: I mean, unless you want to-

[lara635kookie]

Red Crackle Week Day 6: Villains

You can't trust anyone but yourself. Professor Gunnar Maelstrom knew that better than anyone else in the world.

He actually knew a lot of things better than everyone. Including that every single person on Earth can be manipulated if the right strings were pulled. Even himself. The meeting he was about to have was because he wanted to make sure he would keep being the manipulator in his game. And he would guarantee it. In a way or another.

In his private office, he was waiting for her.

His star student.

The perfect apprentice. The perfect successor.

Maelstrom always wanted to have an heir to his empire, but as he was incapable of having children, Paper Star was the closest he would ever have to a daughter. Of course, someone who comes from his own bloodline would have been the ideal, but he knew Paper Star would honor his lineage right.

Maelstrom knew she had the potential in her. She was like a rough diamond. Maelstrom only needed to lapidate her correctly.

Everything was going according to the plan. Maelstrom would like to keep it like that. In his way. The best way. He had bigger ambitions for himself and his future. Too much was at stake for Carmen Sandiego to ruin everything.

-You wanted to see me, Professor?-Paper Star enters.

-Ah, my dear Paper Star. I think you must be aware of why I called you today.

-Let me guess...The lovebirds?-She asks with a smirk. That question was merely a formality. She knew they were going to talk about them. Everyone else was.

People even invented a nickname to reference both of them:"Red Crackle." There sure was a lot to comment about on V.I.L.E.'s new favorite duo. They were seemingly an unbeatable combination with their undeniable chemestry, romantic tension, and mutual understanding. After all, they were two of V.I.L.E.'s best operatives. What could possibly go wrong?

Maelstrom and Paper Star needed to ensure nothing would go wrong.

-Yes...Them.-Maelstrom says. Love really disgusted him.-You know I have never been too fond of...Feelings and trivial emotions.

-Oh I know exactly what you are keen on, Professor:Using people's sensations against them. To lure the fools to make what you want. And you know how much I respect that.

-Yes. Speaking of which, have you started the studies on the human mind like I suggested you to?

-Right away, Professor. Why?

-You'll need to put them to use.

-What for?

-To keep an eye on our resident "couple". And make sure they behave...

TO BE CONTINUED...

[lara635kookie]

So relatable. I feel the exact same way! Netflix did the show's potential so dirty!! Never gonna forgive them for that!!! Too bad season 3 ended and I couldn't see more of ma boy Graham "Gray" Calloway aka Crackle. I bet he would've get more than 5 minutes of screen time in season 4

do NOT mention season 4 to me. this is a blog where we live in blissful denial

[lara635kookie]

Red Crackle Week Day 4: Valentine's Day

Headcanons on their first Valentine's Day:

• They went to Auckland

• Like come on

• It's basically their city at this point

• They own Auckland

• And that is not arguable lol

• Valentine's Day was just the excuse they needed to tour around New Zealand

• They would spend Valentine's Day in Auckland

• And then travel around New Zealand for a week

• A month max

• On Valentine's Day they started their day at the beach

• After lunch, they went to museums and art galleries

• At night, typical candlelit dinner

• Where they exchange gifts

• They end the day watching a movie with popcorn while cuddling

• And their extended Valentine's Day continues

• With photos of them all around New Zealand

• In tulip fields and with different types of animals and flowers and overall plants

• Doing all kinds of things

• Like parachute jumping (one for each this time)

• And after that New Zealand became their confort country

[lara635kookie]

Ship Analysis let's go.

RedCrackle, CarmIvy and Carulia.

A lot of people tend to say "Carmen said a multiple times Gray is like a big brother to her" No, she only said it twice. And after the Opera in the Outback Caper she never says it again. Besides, while talking about this she says:

"I THOUGHT I KNEW you like the big brother I never had UNTIL THAT MOMENT."

"I know, but before he was Crackle he was Gray and Gray WAS like a big brother to me."

She uses the verbs on the PAST, as in NOT ANYMORE. BLACK SHEEP SAW HIM LIKE A BROTHER, NOT CARMEN SANDIEGO. And the same logic applies to Gray. His teenage self saw Black Sheep as a sister, but that's not how his adult self sees Carmen Sandiego. Gray only FLIRTED with her when he had lost his memories. But FLIRTING isn't the only way of showing love.

And I actually liked this aspect of the finale because you can choose who Carmen goes with or if she stays alone. But at the same time I am a romance sucker and Gray and her really felt to me like the most implied ship. They have too many parallels, more than Julia and Ivy combined. They are literally red and blue. And no, Julia isn't blue either. Julia never wore blue. Not even once. Her dress at TSONTS interactive special was black, like pretty much everything she ever used(The only exception I recall is that photo of her with her mother where she's wearing pink). And I have proof:

Of course people have different perspections of color but these circles are the colors I've seen Julia wearing. At least to my eye, Julia never wore one single shade of blue(as long as I can remember). Unlike Ivy. Girl has blue eyes, her shirt sleeves were blue and she wore a light blue with lilac dress to The Need of Speed Caper(I'm not sure if that's really the name of the episode but you know what episode it is, that one with Trey Sterling where a badass biker Carmen fights with Zack and Ivy because they messed up in stealing a super car and for arrested, we're introduced to The Mechanic and The Driver and yay found family has an official headquarters now).

The thing is, Carulia can have different interpretations to every single one of their interactions. You can see them as romantic or not. Meanwhile, with Red Crackle and Carmivy, the romance scenes are clearly romance scenes. I think Julia showed some little interest in Carmen, but Carmen never showed interest in Julia. And I'll tell you why:Carmen meets Julia on a train in India, to keep an eye on Paper Star, where we have the following dialogue.

Carmen:Is this seat taken? (Sits before having an answer)

Julia:Actually yes. But, feel free to use it, until my partner returns.

Carmen:Partner? (Looks to the side, to the other seat while the camera focus on a suitcase with the C.D initials)

Julia:(clears throat)Travel partner.

We see later on the episode that Carmen leaves the Magna Carta along with Devineaux's suitcase on the other seat she looked at. So I interpretate that Julia got it wrong what she meant and Carmen realized she was with Devineaux. Of course you can interpretate otherwise but here's the thing:Unlike Red Crackle and Carmivy, Carulia doesn't have any moment that is UNQUESTIONABLY romantic. You can always interpretate the Carulia moments as friendship or something else.

The fashion caper with the medicis dresses and hypnotized models, you can interpretate that Carmen was checking her out or analyzing her outfit to enter the runway. The Stockholm Syndrome Caper you can interpretate Julia was checking her out or she was really just concerned about Carmen freezing in the winter(which seemed more likely to me). Then Julia leaves A.C.M.E. and some people say she left because of Carmen. I definetely agree that's one of the reasons but we see that the main reason is because she wants to work more with history, her true passion. Where her heart was. And she wanted to leave because of Carmen not because she's in love with her but because she believes Carmen is good and the rest of A.C.M.E. doesn't and she doesn't want to chase someone who is doing good but as she already tried to convince people and wasn't heard, she left. Or because she doesn't understand Carmen's actions being so confusing, sometimes good, sometimes seem to be not so good so she was just sick of the mess and drama and wanted to comeback to just history which seemed to be so since when Devineaux goes to ask Julia if the "crimson ghost" was good Julia goes all like "that's a hard question to answer". At least that's my interpretation. And when Chief says something about A.C.M.E. stopping to chase Carmen and Julia goes like:"Or I'll have to retire/quit/leave all over again" it proves one of the reasons she left was Carmen, but doesn't go over the implications. It might be love, it might not be. It can be the things I stated before. Julia being "Carmen's favorite A.C.M.E. Agent" can be seen in a love light, but also in a friendship light. Julia saying "Who knew my two keen areas of interest would ever collide" which I interpretate as being closer to history and still doing super secret stuff but sure it can be Carmen. The thing is that the Carulia moments are never something SURE that only has romantic interpretation and nothing else. Carmen doesn't even show any signs of jealousy in hearing Julia is going to have lunch with Devineaux. And some people go like:She was jealous when Devineaux picks her phone. For me, seems unlikely. She could just be wondering why was Devineaux picking up her phone in her office and where Jules was, thinking Devineaux was being invasive like we know he can be sometimes. The way she partners up with Devineaux to save Julia, she would have done to save anybody else. And lastly, To Steal or Not to Steal. First having Julia to help is not even a canon event, since Carmen can save Zack and Ivy without it and then the final scene with Julia doesn't happen. Secondly, red roses definitely have romantic views but at the same time they are also a common symbol of respect. People throw them at stages, at ice skating rinks, etc, in a way of saying "Good Luck" or "Good Job", which is proven since Carmen also gives red roses to Lupe Peligro before her fight. Julia blushes when she sees the roses, what indicates she liked it. As I said, I realized some interest from Julia, but never Carmen. Because we don't know if Carmen gave this roses to her out of love or the other reasons I listed before. They could have shown a scene of Carmen before or after Julia receiving the flowers to have a confirmation.

Some people might argue that they made Carulia that subtle to have casual representation for children in a way some parents won't complain. But you can make something less subtle but still discreet. Like Carmivy! Ivy clearly had a crush on Carmen, which Carmen seemed to reciprocate sometimes. Yes, Carmen's a flirt, but the way she looked at Ivy sometimes and smiled it was something else.

I think that what Carulia needed (besides romantic chemestry and more time to build better their relationship) is a huge moment in an episode that deepens the way they feel about one another. Like The Stockholm Syndrome Caper when Carmen is with her head on Ivy's lap, or the entirety of the chocolate factory girl's trip. Or something like the entirety of The Crackle Goes Kiwi Caper and the episode Carmen tries to rescue Gray from jail and V.I.L.E. takes him. And of course The Opera in the Outback Caper, serving both Red Crackle and Carmivy goodness. Carulia needed its own episode. When I think about The Crackle Goes Kiwi Caper my first thought it's "That's a Red Crackle episode". The same thing with Carmivy in the chocolate factory girls trip. Carulia tried to have an episode, that's when Carmen rescues her from Countess Cleo but the problem is:

1-It was the last ship episode. So they give us Carulia when we already had Red Crackle and Carmivy, who were already established first and had more developing. And it was also one of the very few last episodes of the last season of the show so we don't see how Carulia goes from there because it doesn't have the time with such a rushed finale.

2-They didn't have "THE MOMENT". Red Crackle has "hang on tight, don't let go". Carmivy has "by Carmen Sandiego, who else?". And Carulia...?

3-They didn't have a date. Red Crackle had a café date, Carmivy had a fountain date(yes they were dates because I said so lol) and Carulia...?

I wonder how Carulia manages to, out of these three, be the ship with the least number of interactions and still feel like the most forgettable ship to me. I love both characters and their friendship but in a romantic scenario, I just don't see Carmen and Julia working. Carmen, to me seems like that kind of person that needs someone badass, who can keep up with her like Gray and Ivy, not a "cutie cutie lil bean wholesome smol uwu pie" like Julia. She may act as a badass sometimes but she's not a badass overall. Julia just seems like she would be that awkward flustered blushing mess when in love and for me, Carmen would go for someone who can be more comfortable around her, like we see she is definitely the case with Gray and Ivy.

For me, it's kinda like Carmen is Anthony Bridgerton, Julia is Edwina Sheffield/Sharma and Gray and Ivy would be Kate Sheffield/Sharma. Carmen might like Julia, but she still feels boring to Carmen.

Besides, Gray and Ivy also know Carmen for more time than Julia, what makes Carulia look, in my vision, superficial, shallow, artificial and forced. Gray, along with Shadowsan and Player, is the only person Carmen has since her past as Black Sheep and Ivy, along with Zack, were there at the very beginning of Carmen becoming The Carmen Sandiego. Compared to that, what does Julia know about Carmen? Romance requires a deeper connection, a bond Carmen clearly has with Gray and Ivy, that know her better and for a longer time. Compared to that, Julia barely knows a thing Carmen. Between a person you still have to build a bond with and one you already have that kind of bond with, it's a no-brainer who the best choice is. Really, I can't think of something Carmen and Julia have in common that has nothing to do with history. For a relationship to work you don't need to have everything in common, but you do need more than that. Just history isn't enough. And I can say that because my favorite subject in school is history(alongside with geography, english, philosophy and sociology)(I am a languages/humanities kind of person, fuck math and sciences). History may be enough for a friendship but not a romantic relationship. Besides, history and geography are things Carmen and Player bond more about and in a better way so having Carulia bond over the same thing just seems like it's nothing special and passes the idea that Carmen can bond with anyone as long as they like history and geography, that are intrinsically linked subjects, making Carulia feel, for me, even more basic than it already is. Not all ships need a complex storyline but it does add to it. Because Carmen and Ivy have that "strangers to teammates to friends to lovers" that has a lot of potential to it like one of them being in denial about having a crush on the other, fear that the other doesn't feel the same, fear of ruining their friendship, flirting accidentally, doing capers together with Zack making fun of them, having to put their feelings aside for the sake of the mission, Carmen can't truly open up about her feelings showing vulnerability, jealousy, etc.

And Red Crackle has that "acquaintances to class/roommates to friends to best friends to consideration siblings to enemies to strangers to friends to lovers to enemies to partners in crime to casually making out/hooking up without commitment during six months to enemies to strangers" vibe. The six months thing it's a headcanon but the way it's shown Carmen and Gray work so well together and how it is implied they made a lot of missions as a duo, without the others from their class, just makes me dream, and no one can stop me. Red Crackle are "opposite sides of the same coin". And they'll end up as lovers again because I see Red Crackle as a "right person, wrong timing" situation. They are meant to be and they will be one day, even if it takes a lot of time. They just have too much chemestry, angsty potential and drama material to count and that's exactly what I like. The possibilities are infinite and that just makes their storyline so interesting and I love that for them. So for me, it just felt like Carulia was kinda just there. Only existing.

(That was too long so I decided to divide it. Part 2 is coming soon)

[lara635kookie]

Red Crackle Week Day 7: Ending

Grandpa and Grandma Senior Red Crackle Full Playlist

0:35 ━❍──────── 32:10

⇆ㅤ ||◁ㅤ❚❚ㅤ▷||ㅤ ↻

VOLUME: ▁▂▃▄▅▆▇ 100%

ﮩ٨ـﮩﮩ٨ـ♡ﮩ٨ـﮩﮩ٨ـ

Timeless (Taylor's Version) (From The Vault), seven - Taylor Swift

Timeless - Rob Thomas

Neutron Star Collision (Love Is Forever) - Muse

Our Love Will Still Be There - The Troggs

Our Love (Will See Us Through) - Nina Simone

My Love Will Never Die - AG feat. Claire Wyndham

Our Love Will Last Forever - Barbara Weathers

Our Love Will Never End - The Avons

[lara635kookie]

YES PLEASE! I never participated in one and I feel the urge to. I'm obsessed with them and a whole week to talk about them sounds like heaven. Guys, let's make it happen. If it depended on me, it would happen still in 2023, right now

Ptss, Ptss, hey, Red Crackle shippers.

Would you like a Red Crackle week 2024?

[lara635kookie]

My Carmen Sandiego Ship Analysis with Red Crackle, Carmivy and Carulia:

Part 1:

Part 2:

Part 3:

Part 4:

Part 5:

Part 6:

Part 7:

Part 8:

It had more parts than I expected but apparently tumblr has a word limit that I crossed pretty often lol. Anyway, it's longer than I thought and I don't know if anyone it's going to really read it but just in case there it is.